Hartlip Parish Magazine. November 1921.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS,
October, 1921.

DEAR FRIENDS -

Our Church was beautifully adorned with flowers, fruit, foliage, etc., for the Harvest Thanksgiving on September 25th, and I would here thank all who in any way assisted, to that end: not overlooking those who sent fruit, flowers, and vegetables; or who lent plants. We were highly favoured in having as our evening preacher the Lord Bishop of Croydon, whose sermon, based on the text "Man shall not live by bread alone," etc., greatly impressed the large congregation. The Organist and Choir rose to the occasion, re the musical part of the services, and in particular the Anthem, for we were all helped in our worship by their efforts to praise God. I would desire to I express my gratitude to the Ringers also, who so arranged their Sunday work as to be at Church to ring at 7 a.m., 10 a.m. and 5.30 p.m.

The following Thursday was St. Michael's Day and therefore our Dedication festival. The special preacher at 7.30 p.m. was the Rev. H. M. Johnson, Rector of St. John's, Chatham. This service was one of true thanksgiving and praise to the Almighty, for His gift of our beautiful "House of God," preserved to us through all the vicissitudes of 700 years of National life. All these feelings were summed up, when, at the close, the clergy and choir, grouped at the rails, eastward, together with the congregation, sang with heart and voice, that ancient hymn of Christendom, the "Te Deum Laudamus " - "We Praise Thee, O God." That united and full congregational set of praise, sung with such feeling and power, inspired of God the Holy Ghost, stirred one's soul to its very depth, that it will not soon be forgotten.

The money for the cleaning and renovating of the organ has - as some of you know - been lying in the Deposit Account in the Bank, since August 31st. The work was taken in hand early in October, and will be completed ere you read this. Every part of the instrument has been overhauled and thoroughly cleaned: all the pedals have been provided with new springs, and the rough places smoothed, so that now there should be harmony in the mechanism as well as in the tones.

You would be sorry to hear of the sudden illness of Mrs. Labrum early in October, and of the operation which had to he performed forthwith. This was entirely successful; and all the reports to hand are that she is making the desired progress, and we trust she will soon be convalescent.

November 6th is Armistice Sunday, which will be observed, as such, both far and wide. We hope to mark it as we have done before, in keeping with the two great lessons we have learnt in the War of "sacrifice and service." I invite all, but especially the Ex-Service Men, and the relatives

of those who fell, to come to one or both of these services.

On Armistice Day, November 11th. a brief service will be held in most places in order to observe "The Anniversary" of November 11th, 1918. There will again be a Short service in the Church at 10.40 a.m. that day, during which we will observe the "two minutes silence." I sincerely trust everyone who possibly can, will make a supreme effort to attend, and just come as you are, in your working clothes, to spend a few minutes before God, in recalling the wonderful mercies bestowed upon us three years ago that day and the joy of our hearts "that morning" when the roar of the guns ceased and there was it great calm and peace.

The Annual Meeting, usually held at the Vicarage, on "All Saints' Day" (November 1st), for St. John's House, Maidstone, was postponed owing to our absence, but you will receive a notice of the date of the meeting soon.

You remember that the United Kingdom Beneficient Stall (in charge of Mrs. W. Luck) at our Sale, on August 30th, made £6/16/0; this amount Mrs. McMillan has managed to increase, which together with numerous subscriptions and donations from outside the Parish, makes a total of £24, she has forwarded to the Society. This will produce over 100 votes, and will help Miss Godfrey towards getting the desired annuity; in which some of you are much interested.

Your faithful Friend and Pastor,

J. SMEDLEY McMILLAN.

Holy Baptism.
"Suffer the little children to come unto Me."
Sep.4th.-Grace Mary, daughter of George and Olive Elizabeth Mitchell, Bredgar.
Burial.
"I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord.""
Sept.20-Thomas Sone, aged 83 years.

(The above were held over last month for want of space).

Calendar.
Nov.1.-All Saint's Day.
10 a.m. Holy Communion.
"6.-ARMISTICE DAY. - See notice of Services.
"11.-ARMISTICE DAY.
10.40 a.m. Special Service and Two Minutes SILENCE.
"20.-Sunday next before Advent.
S.F.G. Sermons, 11 a.m. the Rev. C. R. Purser of Rangoon.
"21.-Lantern Lecture by Rev. C. R. Purser.
"27.-Advent Sunday.